U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cassandra Henson, with the 55th Dental Clinic, holds her two-year-old son Anthony, while they wait in line for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Hundreds of families descended on the club to attend the popular holiday event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Devin Vandersnick, 11, gets an autograph from former Nebraska Cornhusker and Heisman winning quarterback Eric Crouch while attending the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Crouch brought the prestigious trophy for attendees to look at. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Santa Claus makes his way to the Patriot Club to the delight of families waiting in line to attend the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. Claus welcome the hundreds of kids who attend the ceremony made possible by the 55th Force Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander, provides opening remarks to people gathered to celebrate the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony hosted at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Hundreds of people gathered for the event made possible by the 55th Force Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Trent Carey, assigned to United States Strategic Command, hold his four-year-old son, Karsen, on his shoulders while they wait to enter the Patriot Club for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Special guests included Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch of the University of Nebraska, as well as Miss Nebraska Alyssa Howell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Members of the Steinke family ceremoniously flip the switch to illuminate the Christmas tree during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The Steinke family is without their husband and father, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Hans Steinke, who his currently deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released
One-year-old Robert Young-Williams, son of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jaanna Young-Williams, finishes a cookie near the desserts table while at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Tables upon tables were lined with candy, cupcakes and gingerbread cookies with hot chocolate to wash it down. In addition to the treats, the ceremony boasted a full dinner buffet for the hundreds of families in attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kyle Gee, with the 55th Comptroller Squadron, decorated Christmas trees with his two-year-old son, Brady, at the Christmas Tree Celebration held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Hundreds of families attend the annual event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Alyssa Howell, Miss Nebraska, greets people attending the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony hosted at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Howell signed autographs and took photos with numerous children at the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Kadow, with the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band, performs with the Offutt Brass ensemble at the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held at the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The tree lighting event kicks off the holiday season with hundreds of families pouring into the club every year to the increasingly popular event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
The official tree for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony comes to life with strings of blue and white lights just outside of the Patriot Club on Dec. 3, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Lines of people wait their turn to enter the club. The ceremony hosts a full buffet, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, numerous vendors, distinguished visitors, live music and endless hot chocolate and sweets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)